Holding device.



PATENTED SEPT. 12, 1905'.

M. T. LA VALLE. HOLDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION 21mm nus, 1905.

awvewtoz flarcasflavalle. B13 WZ/r/ fl UNITED STATES MARCUS T. LA VALLE, OF

HOLDING Specification of Letters Patent.

PATENT OFFICE.

Patented Sept. 12, 1905. I

Application filed May 5, 1905. Serial No. 259,052.

To all rim/)1 it may concern.-

Be it known that .l', MARCUS T. LA VALLE, a citizen of the United States, residingat New Ham pton,in the county of Chickasaw and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Holding Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to holding devices, and especially to that class of holding devices esigned to be clasped within the opposite ostrils of a bull or other beast.

The object of my invention is to produce a device of the character which may be cheaply manufactured and easily and readily clasped and unclasped from the nostrils and be reliable when in operative position.

'ith this and other objects in view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed outin the appended claim, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope of the claim without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

in the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of my improved holding device; Fig. 2, in side elevation; Fig. 3, a view in end elevation.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In its preferred form my holding device consists of two rods 1 and 2, provided with ex tremities 3 and at, adapted to be clasped within the opposite nostrils of a beast. The rods are then respectively curved outwardly and downwardly, then inwardly and downwardly to a pivot 5, joining the two rods. The rods are then bent outwardly and downwardly to form handle portions 6 and 7. A bar 8 is provided with two members 9 and 10, adapted to l embrace the two rods at their pivot-point, and the pivot 5 is passed through the said members 9 and 10. The bar 8 is provided atits opposite end with a ring 11, within which may be secured a rope, as 12, or other desired leading device. A curved guide 13 is secured at its middle portion to the bar 8 at a point adjacent to the ring 11. The guide 13 extends upon either side of the bar 8 and through openings formed in the handle members 6 and 7 and is provided at its outer ends with nuts 14 or other retaining devices. bracing the guide 13 is disposed a spring 15, bearing against and adapted to hold the handle members 6 and Tnormally apart, and consequently the extremities 3 and 4 normally adjacent to each other. i

The operation of my improved hitching device is as follows: The device is grasped in the hand of the operator by the handle portions 6 and T, which are closed together against the resistance of the spring 15, thereby separating the extremities3 and 4. The extremities 3 and 4: are now placed within the oppo site nostrils of a beast and pressure upon the handle portions 6 and 7 is released. The tension of the spring 15 against the handle portions 6 and '7 will cause a separation of such handle portions and cause the extremities 3 and at to clasp tightly within the nostrils. The device is now in position, and by use of the leading-line 12 the animal may be managed or hitched, as desired. A pressing together of the handle portions 6 and 7 releases the device from the nostrils.

It is obvious that minor changes in construction may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the claim.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as novel, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a holding device the combination of two rods provided with terminations adapted to be clasped within opposite nostrils of a beast, said rods being curved first outwardly and downwardly then inwardly and downwardly and pivotally joined and again curved outwardly and downwardly to form handle portions and so disposed that closing the handles Upon and emtogether tends to separate the ends adapted bear against and hold said handle portions to grasp the nostrils, a bar secured to said normally separated. IO rods at their pivot-points, extending" between In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the handle portions and terminatingin a ring, presence of two witnesses.

5 a curved guide member secured at its middle MARCUS T. LA VALLE.

point to said bar and extending through open- Witnesses: ings in the handle portions and a spring mount- R. S. MCKEE,

ed upon said guide member and disposed to J. F. TORPEY. 

